EVENT AND COMMENTThe King’s Illness
Almost on the eve of the coronation in London came the announcement of the serious illness of King Edward. Falling suddenly upon the people, as it did, the news put a stop to the preparations for a spectacular display seldom, if ever, equaled.
Thousands of carpenters, painters, and decorators were putting on the finishing touches all along the path of the triumphal procession. Sixty thousand troops had received orders to guard the route, while at Spithead an immense fleet was preparing for a grand naval review.
For a time following the announcement the world waited anxiously for news. Happily, the worst anticipations were not realized, and the recovery has been so speedy that already the time for the coronation has been decided upon. It will take place between August 12th and 15th of this year.
In comment of the occurrence we quote the LondonSpectatoras follows:
“While contemplating the events of the last few days, it is impossible not to be struck by the fact that the sympathy felt for the king will have a marked effect on the future position of the dynasty—an effect which will last far beyond the life of the king. It is a commonplace that men do not so much love those who confer actual benefits upon them as those with whom they have sympathized and suffered. The king will be more to the nation after his illness than he was before.”
The largest vessel ever built in this country was the “Finland,” recently launched at Cramp’s shipyard in Philadelphia. Her length is 580 feet, while the width and depth are 60 and 42 feet respectively. The gross tonnage is 12,000 tons, or about 400 tons greater than either the “St. Paul” or “St. Louis,” the next largest vessels built by Cramps. The “Finland” will make her first transatlantic voyage early in the year 1903.
The “Great Eastern,” constructed some fifty years ago, had a length of 680 feet, and was finally destroyed for the reason that she was too large for ordinary use. The advance in the science of steam navigation, however, has been so great since that time that shipbuilders no longer have any fear of making vessels too large for use.
Concerning the proclamation of amnesty issued at Manila on July 4th, we quotePublic Opinion:
“It declares the insurrection in the Philippines at an end and peace established in all parts of the archipelago, except the country inhabited by the Moro tribes. Complete amnesty is granted all persons in the Philippines who have participated in the insurrection. This includes as well those concerned in the outbreaks against Spain as early as August, 1896, and extends pardon to natives who may have violated the laws of warfare, but not to persons already convicted of criminal offenses.”
The Fourth of July, 1902, will be well worthy of its precedent if it has brought with it a lasting and praiseworthy end of the Philippine trouble.
One feature of the coronation festivities which was not interfered with was the king’s dinner to the poor. It took place on July 5th, and tables were set in four hundred places throughout the country. Here liberal provision was made for the banqueting of over half-a-million people. The greatest number gathered in any one place was 14,000.
It is very creditable to King Edward that in the preparation for festivities of such a magnificent nature, he did not forget the poor, but wished them, also, to join in the general celebration.
A rumor which is beginning to arouse interest in the northwest, is founded upon a story told by the Alaskan Indians. According to them, they have discovered in the vicinity of the Porcupine river, near the Arctic circle, the remains of a gigantic petrified ship, whose length approaches 1,200 feet. It is situated upon a hill some thousands of feet above sea level. An expedition is now on foot to investigate.
Although there is little use in anticipating these researches, the rumor at least serves to remind us how much of the world is as yet unexplored and what great room there still is for new discoveries.